Machine for rolling and finishing leather



Nay 17, 1932. E. G. WlLsON 1,858,424

MACHINE FOR ROLLING-AND FINISHING LEATHER Filed June 18, 1.928 2 Sheets-Sheet l J. n 12l Lyre/1f 73M Mia/WJ May 17, 1932. E. G. WILSON MACHINE 'FOR ROLLING AND yFINISl-llNG LEATHER Filed June 18, 1928' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Goa llllllllllulHllllllllvl lllll` ll HIIHllllHllllllllllllllHHIIHHHIHIHI Patented May 17, 1932 PATENT OFFICE EVAN GEORGE WILSON, OF WATERLOO, NEABiLIVERPOOL, ENGLAND MACHINE FOR ROLLING AND FINISI-IING- LEATHER Application filed .Tune 18,

This invention relates to machines for rolling and finishing skins, such, for insta-nce, as butts, bends, sides, or whole hides o f leather, and like materials, of theitype which comprsies'or includes a rolling carriage operatively associated with a guide rail, or the like, and provided with a roller or rollers; mechanicalV means whereby reciprocatory motion is imparted to said rolling carriage; a horizontal Vbed or table situated below said rolling carriage and formed of two or more sections; and springs or VWeighted levers, or the like, Vwhereby said bed or table may be normally maintained in l5 Contact with said rolling carriage, and lowered in relation thereto in order to permit material to be positioned on or removed from the bed or, table.;

In this type of machine the sections forining the bed or table are mounted on separate fulcra which are connected to each other and and in turn carried upon a common pivot so that the sections mayjointly and independently oscillate during the rolling and finishg5 ing operation to compensate for inequalities in the material and to ensure the imposition of a uniform pressure overthe whole surface of the material, but in practice it is found that-the sections have a tendency to part somewhat as also to iide over each other with the result that the material is marked or scored and sometimes completely severed.

A rolling and finishing machine, accordingto my invention, has'for its main object 3;, to obviate the aforementioned defects, and is essentially characterized by the association with the sections forming the bed or table of resilient or iexible means--such as springsand plates or buffer pieces, by the aid of `4,() which springs and plates or buffer pieces said sections are maintained in their correct relativepositions and in constant abutment or Contact, in order that they may jointly or independently oscillate without parting or over-riding and so that a uniform or level n bed surface may be normally presented to material to be treated. v

Another feature of my invention, isthe provision of adjustable means, substantially eo as hereinafter described, Wherebythe rolling carriage is positively maintained in operative 'engagement or association with a guide rail, or the like, and is prevented from twisting or angular movement in relation thereto. Another feature of my invention is the provision of means, substantially as hereinafter described, whereby the pressure of said bed or table 'on' the rolling carriage may be varied at will in order that kmaterials of dif.- ferent kinds: or grades may be dealt with.

Otherand additional vfeatures or characteristics. of my invention are hereinafter de'- scrib'ed and pointed out in the claiming yclauses concluding this specification. p I will further describe my invention with theV aid of the accompanying ysheet of eX- planatory drawings which illustrate, byway of example only,'one mode of carrying same into effect. i Y

In said drawingsz` Y Figs. 1 andlV show, in side eleva-tion, .a rolling and finishing machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figs. 2 and 2a show, in inverted plan, the .bed or table,l and Fig. 3 is a transverse sectionlof'the bed.v Figs. 4 to 9,inclusive, show the parts which oscillatably supportthe bed at each end, Figs". 4C and 5 being views ofthe fulcrum blocks which carry the ,bed sectionsFigs. .Band 7 being views of theyoke which `carries the fulcrum blocks, and 8 and 9 being views of the member which centrally-supports the yoke.

Fig.v 10 shows in section the method of supportingx'the rolling carriage. 55

Figs. l1 and l2 are views of the tappets or cams which control the ope-ration or movement vof the yrolling carriage, and Fig. 13 illustrates the lever mechanism associated with thetappets'orcams. 99

Fig. 14 is a View of al device which facilitates the placing of the carriage mechanism in its neutral position and so stopping the rolling carriage.

l generally designates the framework of the machineof which 2 are the supports or uprights, and 3 is the horizontal guide rail which bridges said supports 2 and maintains the same in vsuitably spaced relation- W3 ship. p

side ot the guide rail and thereby prevents twisting or angular movement of carriage 6.

Screwed into bracket--4 is a sleeve 11 fitted with a screw-threadedhandle rod 12, said sleeve and rod being vertically' adjustable so as to regulate the pressure of a spring 13 on shoe 5 and to compensate for wear or inaccuracy of the several parts. j Mounted on one ot the supports 2 of the machine is a suitable .rolling carriage operating mechanism consisting of a i'ast driving pulley 14, two loose pulleys 15.v and a pinion 16 all mounted vona drivingfshat 17; a. gear wheel 18 fixed to a shaft 19A and mesh- A ing with said pinion 16; a pinion 20 mounted on said shaft `19 and meshing with a gear wheel 21 attached to a shaft 22: and a sprocket wheel 23 which issecured to said shaft 22 and is adapted to operate a', chain 24, said chain being i'ixed at each end of `carriage 6 and passed over a loose jockey pulley 25 mounted on .one 'of the supports 2. said sprocket wheel 23,'and a large jockey pulley 26 mounted on the'other ot' the supports 2.

Mounted in bearings 27. fixed to rail 3 is a spindle 28 which'is connected by means of links 29 with a lever 30, said lever being` pivoted at 31 and the lower end whereof engages a belt-shitting bar 32. vl3rovided on said spindle 28 are suitably shaped tappets or cams 33. and fixed to the roller carriage 6 are two inclined surfaces l34. i,

The carriage is operated in the .following manner, on the drivebeing transmitted by one ot the driving belts to the fast pulley 14 pinion itithrough gear wheel 18, pinion 20, land gear wheel 21-rotates sprocket wheel 23 in one direction, and the rolling carriage 6 moves along the underside of rail 3 until one ol the inclined surfaces 34 meets and depresses the tappet or cani 33 at this end of the machine. As a result, spindle .28 is partially revolved'so that the links 429 automa-ti'eally lcause lever 36 to swivel about its pivot 31 and move'bar 32 when the belt which has been operating the machineis switched; onto one of the loose pulley 15, and, .at the same time, another 'belt is switched over from the other of the loose pulleys onwhichit 'has been' running to the fast pulley 14. rlhis belt rotates pulley 14in the opposite 'direction, consequently, the rolling. kcarriage.*"6 moves along the rail y3 in the reverse Vdirection until the other of the inclined surfaces 34 meets and depresses the other of the tappets or cams 33, when the reciprocatory operation is again repeated.

In order to vary the length of travel of the rolling carriage, said tappets or cams 33 are arranged to be fixed at any desired points of the spindle slots or keyways 35.

Should it be found necessary to reverse the direction of travel ot the rolling carriage 6 by hand, this may be readily etected by moving a handle lever 36 fixed to the spindle 28, or by moving thelever 30 and thereby operatingthe belt-.shitting bar 32. The carriage 6 may also be stopped by manipulating said handle lever 36 or lever 30 until the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 13 when both, of the driving belts will be positioned on their respective loose pulleys 15. In 'order to definitely place the parts in theirneutral positions, there is attached to a stationary part of the machine a spring strip 37 (see Fig. 14) .provided with wheels or rollers 38, 38a. wheel 38 being adapted to enter into a recess 39 of the belt-shifting vbar 32 when the bar is'moved in the manner just described.

Situated below the rolling carriage 6 and adapted to normally contact with roller 7 is a bed or table 4() for the reception of thematerial to be treated, said bed or table being formed of two sections 40a, 40b on the underside ot each of which a rib 40c is formed. Said bedsections are connected to each other by means of springs' 41, 42, said springs 4 1 being arranged to press against adjacent sides of said ribs 40er and so tend lto force the ribs further apart, whilst said springs 42 are positioned on the outer sides of the ribs and therefore tend to pressv the ribs inward to- Vwards each other so that the adjacent'ed'ges of the bed may be maintainedv in abutting engagement with each other. I

Also provided on the underside of the bed 4'0 are a plurality of plates or buffer pieces 43 which are alternately secured to each of the sections 40, 40", as kclearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. and thereby prevent the adj a-` cent edges ot the sections' riding above each other. i n i y Said bed or table 40 is carried-at each end by means ot a bell-crank lever 44, 44a, pivotvally mounted at 45 on a stationaryA bracket 46. and a member 47 (see Figs. 8 and 9) provided with a ztulcrum 47a which is entered into a groove 44b formed in the lever-and with a :tulcrum 47b which is entered into a central slot 48a of a yoke-48 (see Figs. 6 and .7). Said yoke is formed with a pair of'fulcrums 48b each of which is entered into :a slot 49 ot' a block 49 (Figs. 4 and 5) l .said bloc-lass are disposed in small housings 40d formed at the ends of the sections 40, 40", of the bed. Located in said housings 40d by means of screwed studs 50 are spring washers 51 which are arranged to press on the outer sides 4of blocks 49 and assist the springs 42 in maintaining the adjacent edges ofthe hed sections 40, 4()b in abutting engagement;

In order to normally maintain the face of bed 40 incontact with `the carriage roller 7,v there are provided two helical-springs 52 which are located between platesv 53 fitted on the 'end of a rod 54 and the portions 44 of the bell-crank levers 44,443. The 'other portions 44of-said levers are connected with f an operating t'readle or foot lever 55 by means of a chain 56.

Vvvhen it is desired to roll a hide of leather, or the like, and assuming that carriage 6 is stationary, the treadle or` footflever 55 is depressed by the foot of the operator so that the bell-crank levers 44, 44a swivel about their pivots 45 to compress the springs 52 and permit bed 40 to move downwardly. The material is now positionedonl the bed and the pressure on the `treadle'lever 55 released.

Thus the bedwith the materialis raised into Contact with the carriage roller 7 under the influence of springs 52, and handle 36 or lever is thereupon actuated tol set carriage 6 in motion, when it reciprocates along the rail 3 in the manner.hereinbefore described and the carriage rolle'r7 operates on thel material.

It is well known that in order-to carry out the rolling and finishing operation eiiciently, an equal or'uniform pressure must be produced overthe whole surface of the material being treated, and as the hides are, as a rule, thicker Ain some parts than in others, suitable means must be provided so as'to co1npensate for all inequalities of the material. IVith amachine as before descibed., the vefl'eeting'ofan eyen or vuniform .pressure is made possible, as the bed sections 40a, 40b may oscillate independently on their fulcrums 48h against the tension and compression of springs 41, 42, whilst the bed sections may also oscillate in conjunction with each other on the central fulorum 471. Thus, when the roller 7 in its travel, meets a part of the material which is of undue thickness, one or other or both of the bed sections 40a, 40b oscillate according to the contour of the material, so that a uniform roller pressure on the material is maintained, and, when the roller 7 has passed ovei the said part of the material, the bed sectionsare immediately returned to their original positions, as shown in Figs. l and 2, by the action of the springs 41, 42 on the ribs 40c of thel bed sections.

Further, said springs maintain the' adjacent edges of the sections in close contact with each other during the oscillator)7 actions of the sections of the bed, whilst the plates or buffer pieces 43 prevent the edges of the sections riding above each other so that an unbroken joint-which cannot bite or nip the material-is always presented to the material during the rolling operation.

Beds so constructed are of greater width than beds formed of a single section, and are particularly suitable for yuse as inishingmachines, as, a longer roller can be utilized, a larger area of material canbe treated in each travel of the roller, a better finish can be given to the material, the operation canbe -expeditiouslyperformed, material can be .more easily flattened, and the tendency for the material to raise or form mounds at those parts which lie beyond the path of the rolle/r/ is reduced to a minimum.

Referring again to the bed oscillating member 47 shown in Figs. 8 and 9, it will be seen that the distance between the fulcrums 47a, 47" may be varied, so that the amount of lowering of the bed may be varied, as desired, to permit of materials of different thicknesses being treated. Projections 47 are also formed on the members, which projections are entered into vertical guide slots 2a provided in the supports2 to keep members 47 in` position. i y

The pressure of the bed 40 on the roller 7 lmay be regulated at will by: adjusting the tension of springs 52 b y means of a hand wheel 57 screwed on the end ofrod 54. To 90 provide means whereby the pressure being imposed on the materials 1maybereadily ascertained, there is fixed at an end of one of the springs52 a suitably calibrated dial 58 provided with afinger 59, and-to the other 95 end of the spring is attached a link `60 lwhich ti is connected tol and loperates said dial finger 59. Y o

It willbe `understood that I donot confine myself to the precise details as hereinbefore described, as obviously `various alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdetned by the claims, for instance, the Vbed maybe .formed of more than two sections.or it may be made of one section, in which case thel oscillating arrangement will be suitably modified: or again, links or weighted levers may be utilized in substitution for said springs 52.

AThat I claim as my invention and ydesire to secure by Letters Patent is d I 3 l. In a'machine ofthe. kind ',sp'cvcifie'd, a work-supporting bed composed of a plurality of pivotal sections, spring means mounted on said sections to maintainthe same'in 115 their normal positions and to permit indi vidual and simultaneous pivotal. movement of the sections, buifcr pieces mounted on said sectionsto maintain adjacent edges thereof ineonstant abutment or Contact during pivotal movement of the sections, andspring'grggV means mounted below said sections and adapted to resiliently support and maintain the work on the sections in continuous engagement with a rotaryy work-'operating tool 125 throughout the movement of such tool over the work. 1 Y

In a machine ,of the kind specified, a worksupporting bed composed ofy a plurality of sections mounted upon separate. pivots to {130 i WN l.

permit individual pivotal movemento thescctions and yhaving a commonl pivot, means connecting the separate pivots of saidmsections with said commonpivot'to permit simultaneous pivotal movement of the sections about said common pivot, spring means mounted on said sections to maintainfthe same in their normal relative positions, Alouf- Vter pieces mounted on ysaid sections tol main- -on said sections to maintain-the same in their normal relative positions, buffer pieces alternately connected to the undersic'le of said seetions and projecting into engagement'with the underside of adjacent sectioiisto maintain the edges of the sectious'in constant-abutment or Contact during pivotal movement 'oi' the sections, and spring means mounted helow said sections and vadapted tofi'esiliently support and maintain the work on the sec:- tions in continuous engagement with a rotaryl work-operating tool' vthroughout the movement of such tool over the work.

Ll. In a machine of the kind speciiiecL-a work-supporting bed composed of a plurality of sections mounted upon separate pivots and having a common pivot, means connecting the separate pivots of said 'sections wit said common pivot, flanges form'edon' the underside of said sections, spring means supported by said flanges onthe undersidel or" the sections to maintain the vsections in their normal relative positions, huferpieces alternately connected to the undersideof said s ections and projecting into engagement with the underside of adjacent sections, fand spring means mounted below said sections Vand adapted to resiliently support-and: maintain the work on the'sections incoutinuous engagement with a rotary kwork-operainng tool throughout the movement of such ktool 'over the work. 'j j 1 5. In a machine ofv the kind specified, a work-supporting hed composedof a plurality of sections mounted upon separate pivots and -having a common pivot, means connecting y the separate pivots of said sections with said common pivot, spring means supportedhy flanges formed on the underside of said sections to maintain the sections m their normal and projecting into engagement with theunderside of adjacent sections, bell-crank levers mounted to support the common pivot of said section-s, and helical springs mountedtohear on said bell-crank levers and to exert upward yieldablefjpressure onthe bed 'or table Asections, whereby to maintain thewo-rk on the sectionsin continuous engagement with a rotary work-operating tool throughout the lum-*ement of such tool over the work.

6. In a machine of the kind specified, a. work-supporting bed composed of a plurality of sections mounted upon separate pivots and having a common pivot, means connecting the separate pivots of' said' sections with said common pivot, spring means lsupported yieldahle .pressure on the bed or table sections, whereby to -maintain the work on the sections in continuous engagement with a rotary vwork-o'perating :tool throughout the movement of such tool overthe work, a pressure indicating' mechanism connected with i' one of said bell'c'rank leversl to indicate the resilient upward pressure of said springs on said 1ced sections, and means for varying the pressure' ofthe springs on said sections.

In .testimonywhereof I ali-ix my signature.

y Evan GEORGE wiLsoNy relative positions, buil'er pieces alternately connected to the underside ot' said"sections lis 

